Needleman's introduction gives an excellent overview not only of the basic ideas of the Gurdjieff teaching but also touches on how the ideas are relevant to the human situation. Equally valuable is the glimpse it affords of how the different chapters of the Gurdjieff Foundation--the principal organization directly descended from Gurdjieff's own Institute--provide their members with the special conditions needed to embody the teaching. The book is a thorough revision (contrary to what one reviewer has remarked), based on the introduction Needleman wrote for The Inner Journey: Views from the Gurdjieff Work. The list of books, films, and recordings provided in "For Further Study," new to this version of the original essay, forms an essential part of the introduction and provides a way to continue to explore one of the major teachings of our time.

Product Description: The Gurdjieff tradition, commonly referred to as "The Work," describes people's day-to-day lives as completely mechanical, conducted asleep. Gurdjieff's intent, as with many sacred traditions, was literally to aid in one's awakening. The tools for doing this are many, but integrated. The various methods of "The Work" are intended to specifically integrate a person's physical, emotional, and intellectual centers into a fourth way of consciousness. Like Zen, Gurdjieff's work is structured as an oral tradition emphasizing the relationship of teacher to student. But there have also been extensive writings on his views, and this short, pocket-sized book is one of the most useful. A clear, concise summary of Gurdjieff's life and teachings, this is the first book to describe the actual practices of the tradition. It provides comprehensive resource information for readers who wish to pursue further inquiry, including a reading list and a summary of the most important published music from the Gurdjieff vault.